Competitive Information for Pikachu [Sword/Shield]
Electric
Abilities:
This Pokemon draws Electric moves to itself to raise Sp. Atk by 1; Electric immunity.
30% chance a Pokemon making contact with this Pokemon will be paralyzed.
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Note: Pokemon with the Lightning Rod ability are immune to Electric attacks.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Pikachu? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Get hyped for Pikachu, a high-quality Pokémon with Electric typing! Pikachu is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. Its only type-related weakness is Ground. Explore the movesets of Pikachu below to understand its battle capabilities.
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Protect
For those intense single battles, Pikachu is a superb Special Sweeper. This strategy is built to crush rivals using devastating special moves. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Thunder is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain).
◆ Volt Switch is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Electric-type move (Pikachu switches out after damaging the target).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Pikachu this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa19
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Hasty (+Spe, -Def)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Volt Tackle / Nuzzle
- Brick Break
- Fake Out
- Protect
Pikachu thrives as a stupendous Mixed Sweeper perfect for single battles. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Nuzzle is a physical STAB-boosted 20-base power Electric-type move (100% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Fake Out is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Normal-type move (hits first. First turn out only. 100% flinch chance).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Pikachu this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba19
Item: Light Ball / Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Volt Tackle / Wild Charge
- Body Slam / Facade
- Play Rough
- Brick Break / Reversal
In single battles, Pikachu is known as an impressive Physical Sweeper. The main aim of this moveset is to crush rivals using brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Pikachu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Wild Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (has 1/4 recoil).
◆ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Pikachu is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Play Rough is a physical 90-base power Fairy-type move (10% chance to lower the target's attack by 1 stage).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Reversal is a physical 0-base power Fighting-type move (more power the less hp your Pikachu has left).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mca19
Item: Light Ball / Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Thunderbolt / Discharge
- Surf
- Grass Knot
- Round / Snore
Ready for single battles? Pikachu is a superior Special Sweeper. This configuration strives to overwhelm foes with devastating special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Pikachu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Discharge is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze adjacent pokemon).
◆ Surf is a special 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Pikachu must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mda19
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Static
Nature: Naughty (+Atk, -SpD)
EVs: 252 Hp / 33 Atk / 225 Def
Moveset:
- Brick Break
- Endure
- Reversal
- Agility
Ready for single battles? Pikachu is a prestigious Physical Wall. This moveset attempts to absorb physical damage and return fire with decent force. With Static, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Pikachu will be paralyzed. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Endure is a status move (Pikachu survives attacks this turn with at least 1 hp).
◆ Reversal is a physical 0-base power Fighting-type move (more power the less hp your Pikachu has left).
◆ Agility is a status move (raises your Pikachu's speed by 2 stages).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mea19
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Static
Nature: Mild (+SpA, -Def)
EVs: 128 Atk / 128 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Electro Ball
- Volt Tackle
- Quick Attack
- Thunderbolt
Pikachu makes an an outstanding Mixed Sweeper in single battles. With Static, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Pikachu will be paralyzed. This is the pikachu used by ash:same moves and ability, just edited to make it usable. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Volt Tackle is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Electric-type move (has 33% recoil. 10% chance to paralyze target).
◆ Quick Attack is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Normal-type move (usually goes first).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mfa19
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Nuzzle
- Grass Knot
- Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
Pikachu makes an an impressive Physical Sweeper in single battles. It's meant to crush rivals using potent physical moves. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Volt Tackle is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Electric-type move (has 33% recoil. 10% chance to paralyze target).
◆ Fake Out is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Normal-type move (hits first. First turn out only. 100% flinch chance).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mga19
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Pikachu? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Light Ball / Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Volt Tackle / Wild Charge
- Body Slam / Facade
- Play Rough
- Brick Break / Reversal
Pikachu is an interesting Physical Sweeper to use for double battles. This moveset is designed to crush rivals using formidable physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Pikachu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Wild Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (has 1/4 recoil).
◆ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Pikachu is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Play Rough is a physical 90-base power Fairy-type move (10% chance to lower the target's attack by 1 stage).
◆ Brick Break is a physical 75-base power Fighting-type move (destroys screens, unless the target is immune).
◆ Reversal is a physical 0-base power Fighting-type move (more power the less hp your Pikachu has left).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa19
Item: Light Ball / Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Discharge / Electroweb
- Surf
- Grass Knot
- Round / Snore
Pikachu proves to be a remarkable Special Sweeper for double battles. It's goal is to crush rivals using overwhelming special power. Focus Sash helps protect Pikachu from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Electroweb is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Electric-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Surf is a special 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Grass Knot is a special 0-base power Grass-type move (more power the heavier the target).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Pikachu must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba19
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Grass Knot
- Fake Out
- Protect
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
Prepare for double battles with Pikachu as a wonderful Special Sweeper. This strategy is built to crush rivals using forceful special attacks. With Lightning Rod, Pikachu draws electric moves to itself to raise sp. Atk by 1; electric immunity. This Pikachu is really more of a 2v2 style build.
Use Fake Out first to allows your partner to use a support moves (Tailwind, Icy Wind, or Spore) for an easier second turn.
Thunderbolt is Pikachu's main STAB move, which does plenty of damage to anything that doesn't resist it. The alternative Thunder is a harder-hitting option should only be used with rain teams since its horrible accuracy without the rain isn't worth the extra damage.
Grass Knot is an excellent way for Pikachu to smack a wide variety of Pokemon with super effective damage Especially those super heavy Ground- and Rock-types likes Rhyperior, Gastrodon, Tyranitar, and Terrakion.
Protect is useful to allows Pikachu to last longer during battle, and it allows your teammates to give Pikachu to power up and go on the offensive. With a Light Ball equipped to it, if held by a pikachu, its attack and sp. Atk are doubled.
◆ Fake Out is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Normal-type move (hits first. First turn out only. 100% flinch chance).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Pikachu this turn).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Thunder is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Electric-type move (30% chance to paralyze. Can't miss in rain).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nca19
Movepool
Want to know what moves Pikachu can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Pikachu.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Pikachu can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Pikachu
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Endure + Flail
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Helping Hand, Protect, Fake Out, Feint, Quick Attack
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave
Moves that boost Pikachu's stats
- Agility
- Charge
- Nasty Plot
Most notable and possible best moves for Pikachu
- Brick Break
- Fake Out
- Light Screen
- Nuzzle
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Surf
- Thunder
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Volt Tackle
Common Effort Values for Pikachu in Sword and Shield
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/4/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Optimize Pikachu's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Pikachu. Top rated Pikachu Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Pikachu builds Sword/Shield. Pikachu movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Pikachu Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Pikachu in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for Raichu evolution